Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 80 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise Game Cover
A striking and surprising mashup of a long running game series and even longer running anime proves that the Yakuza studio shows no signs of slowing down.
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"Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise" is a high-octane action-adventure RPG based on the classic manga, where players control Kenshiro in an alternate universe, using his "Hokuto Shinken" techniques to battle through throngs of enemies. The game features a vast open world filled with side quests, world-building moments, and humorous minigames, such as buggy races and rhythm-based chiropractic sessions. In this version, Kenshiro searches for his lost love Yuria in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, exploring diverse adventures beyond combat.

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Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 80 reviews
story11 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • The game successfully combines the beloved gameplay mechanics of the Yakuza series with the Fist of the North Star universe, providing an engaging experience for fans of both franchises.
  • Combat is satisfying and over-the-top, allowing players to unleash powerful moves and enjoy the gory visuals that are true to the source material.
  • The game features a variety of side missions and mini-games that add depth and humor, making it a fun and entertaining experience overall.
  • The game suffers from pacing issues, with long, unskippable cutscenes and repetitive fetch quests that can detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, such as the camera and enemy AI, can be frustrating, leading to moments where players may feel overwhelmed or unable to effectively manage combat situations.
  • While the game is visually appealing, it does not utilize the latest game engine, resulting in some dated graphics and animations compared to more recent titles in the Yakuza series.
  • story32 mentions

    The story in the game is engaging and accessible, blending elements from the original manga with a mix of humor and action, though some characters may feel shallow. Players appreciate the balance of main quests and numerous side missions, which add depth and variety to the gameplay experience. While the narrative may not be as intricate as other titles in the genre, it remains enjoyable and complements the overall beat-em-up style of the game.

    • “The story is interesting and I’m excited to see where it takes Kenshiro, the main protagonist, and his allies and enemies.”
    • “Even though some things may feel repetitive, you will have a fun time with an engrossing story and fun side minigames.”
    • “Very cool story to play through and a good amount of humor to balance it out without becoming ridiculous.”
    • “The story is very bare and the activities aren't as nuanced as a regular Ryu Ga Gotoku game.”
    • “This one bombs you with busy work and weak story.”
    • “Did the tutorial, was cool, but then maybe forty minutes of mandatory fetch quests where I was just trying to find out who I was supposed to talk to next, a fight, more dialogue, then more tutorials.”
  • gameplay22 mentions

    The gameplay in Yakuza Kiwami is largely praised for its engaging combat mechanics and the nostalgic feel of the Yakuza series, featuring a semi-open world filled with quests and mini-games. While many players appreciate the fun and varied gameplay, some criticize it for being repetitive and occasionally frustrating, particularly with certain activities and driving mechanics. Overall, it offers a mix of action and RPG elements that can provide hours of entertainment, though opinions on its execution vary.

    • “Yakuza Kiwami is the only Yakuza game I've ever played, but this game feels almost exactly like it in terms of gameplay, existing in a semi-open world/city with various quests and mini-games thrown in.”
    • “The fighting mechanics are top-notch and fun, but if you’re trying to do something important and you aren’t in the mood to fight, it can be a little obnoxious.”
    • “Great gameplay, all of the goods of a Yakuza game but in Kenshiro's world.”
    • “Errors and slow gameplay with monotonous fights against the same 4 enemies.”
    • “Having to complete certain activities like racing is frustrating to me, especially since the driving mechanics are dreadful.”
    • “Gameplay is very repetitive and boring and not rewarding at all.”
  • graphics6 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the aesthetic redesign that aligns with the popular manga/anime series and noting enhancements on the PS4 Pro, while others criticize the character design and environments as amateurish and lacking effort. Overall, opinions range from fantastic visuals to disappointing and poorly executed graphics.

    • “This game is essentially a Yakuza title redesigned aesthetically to fit the long-time, popular manga/anime series.”
    • “Graphics 8/10 - Playing this on a PS4 Pro, I am glad to see that super-sampling is enabled, as Yakuza 0 did not have any enhancements despite being released in 2017.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic and wonderful to look at throughout the game; Kenshiro looks totally phenomenal out of everyone in the game (probably because he’s the main character).”
    • “Amateurish and ugly graphics, boring environment, and poor gameplay.”
    • “Graphics and character design are really bad; you'd think they were drawn by a child.”
    • “They didn't put any effort into the art and graphic design of this game.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, featuring amusing scenes and techniques that enhance the bartending experience. While the humor remains consistent and draws from yakuza elements, some mini-games lose their charm after repeated play, though the overall balance of humor and story is appreciated. Players find the humor to be both shameless and entertaining, contributing positively to the game's appeal.

    • “Bartending is more enjoyable, with some humorous scenes and even more humorous techniques.”
    • “Very cool story to play through and a good amount of humor to balance it out without becoming ridiculous.”
    • “It's shameless and hilarious, and I love it.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and integration with the overall experience, particularly highlighting the impressive soundtrack and voice acting in the Japanese version. Reviewers appreciate how the music complements the game's themes, with some even finding it memorable enough to listen to outside of gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that enhances the enjoyment of the game.

    • “The music is great, the voice acting is great in the Japanese (skip the dub, who even asked for it?), they really married the feel and tone of 'Fist of the North Star' and 'Yakuza' perfectly; it really is something to behold.”
    • “I was actually looking for a game to play after 'Shenmue 3' turned out to be a disappointment and wanted something with good fighting and some sort of skill progression. This game exceeded all expectations: tons of side quests (nearly 80), tons of mini games, lots and lots of battles (the arena features around 100 battles), great storyline, great music—just great all in all. I'd even say this is better than most 'Yakuza' games I've played simply because of the character progression and the freedom you get with the driving feature. Definitely a must-have.”
    • “Sega always has produced good soundtracks to go with their games, and I really like their 'Hokuto' style version of 'Receive You'.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to random fights and unskippable cutscenes that disrupt the flow of gameplay. While some more patient gamers may appreciate the experience, many reviewers express frustration with the repetitive nature of these encounters.

    • “You also get into random fights, which are tedious.”
    • “More patient gamers might enjoy this game, but I found it tedious due to the unskippable cutscenes and frequent character dialogue scenes.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users appreciate the stability of the game, particularly highlighting the smooth experience during intense battles, such as engaging multiple enemies while driving. This suggests that the game maintains performance even in chaotic scenarios, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

  • character development1 mentions

    The character development has been criticized for its poor graphics and design, with some users likening the visuals to those created by a child, indicating a lack of depth and quality in the character portrayal.

    • “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with anyone in the game.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that affect character growth; it feels like a missed opportunity.”
    • “The characters are one-dimensional and lack any real depth, which makes the story feel flat.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

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